NEATH Rugby Club are banking on a new coaching team freshening things up at The Gnoll.

With director of rugby Rowland Phillips having exited The Gnoll earlier in the month, the Blacks have turned towards three former Welsh internationals in a bid to secure more silverware.

Two of the newcomers are also ex-Neath players – No 8 Steve Williams and centre Leigh Davies – while ex-Dragons full-back Kevin Morgan also intends to carry on playing.

Williams is the head coach with Davies his assistant while Morgan has responsibilities for fitness and conditioning.

Morgan takes the place of Port Talbot schoolteacher Jonathan Bowen, who returned to The Gnoll at the start of the semi-professional era in 2003 and was part of six seasons of unparalleled success.

However, there remains a link with the former coaching regime as Patrick Horgan has moved upstairs to become director of rugby.

Former Neath scrum-half Patrick Horgan heads the new coaching group, as they face up to the new demands next season of the British & Irish Cup.

The return of Williams, who has been coaching Ulster, comes 12 years after he left for a professional career that encompassed spells with Cardiff and Northampton

He also coached Coventry, who ironically are in Neath’s group in the British & Irish Cup.

Davies coached Bryncoch last season, making an instant impression as the Neath village side lifted the Swalec League Division Four South-West title in a canter.

On similar lines to Williams, the first cap that Davies also won was from Neath, and he went on to play professionally at Cardiff, Bristol, Llanelli and Ospreys.

Morgan shot to prominence with Pontypridd before heading for the Dragons, and towards the end of last season he attempted to return to fitness with Newport – and played for the Black and Ambers against Neath at Rodney Parade on February 28.

He will demand high standards and the Blacks are keeping their fingers crossed that he steers clear of injury.

Injuries have blighted Morgan’s career but he is nevertheless regarded as one of the most potent attacking runners on the Welsh scene.

Director of rugby Horgan said: “It’s great to have the opportunity to work with three enthusiastic, young coaches who between them possess a wealth of experience at the top end of the game.

“All are up to date with modern methods, and it promises to be an exciting time for the club.”

Greeting the appointments, Neath chairman Geraint Hawkes said: “We are delighted to welcome aboard three aspiring young coaches, who have a lot to offer both Neath and the Welsh game.

“Both Steve and Kevin join us from professional environments and this will add to the intensity that the squad requires ahead of the new cross-border competition.”

“They will work alongside Patrick Horgan, who is already recognised as one of the best coaches in the Premiership.”

Davies, Horgan and Williams were all members of the Neath side that beat Fiji during the 1995/96 campaign, and went on to lift the league title under the two Jones’ – Darryl and Lyn.